Photo by Skye Kinkade

Scott Valley Protect Our Water president Liz Bowen, right, stands with a panel of five north state sheriffs, including, left to right, Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood, Del Norte County Sheriff Dean Wilson, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey, Trinity County Sheriff Bruce Haney and Modoc County Sheriff Mike Poindexter during a Support Rural America rally on Saturday at the fairgrounds in Yreka. About 300 people showed up at the event to discuss concerns including dam removal, state realignment, the Forest Service’s travel management plan, private property rights and government overregulation.

By Skye Kinkade

Mount Shasta Area Newspapers

Posted Feb 28, 2012 @ 08:00 AM

Last update Feb 28, 2012 @ 11:05 AM

Yreka, Calif. —

Concerns about private property rights, dam removal, the state’s public safety realignment and government overregulation took center stage Saturday afternoon at a Support Rural America event, held at the Yreka fairgrounds.

A panel of five north state sheriffs, led by Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey, addressed a group of nearly 300 at the event, which was sponsored by Scott Valley Protect Our Water, the Yreka Tea Party, the Redding Tea Party Patriots and the Siskiyou Co. Water Users Association.

Lopey talked about the need to uphold the constitution and the many problems he sees facing Siskiyou County residents today.

“Our way of life, our traditions, and our economy is at risk,” Lopey said. “Our county could be destroyed if we don’t  take the time to stand up and fight for it.”

Lopey said he and the other participants are not trying to be political, but they’re simply defending the citizens they serve. “It seems like some leaders have forgotten that we work for you. This servitude concept is what the constitution is based on,” Lopey told the rapt crowd.

Support Rural America is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting rural sheriffs who are standing up for the US constitution, explained POW president Liz Bowen, one of the event’s organizers.

Saturday’s function was the first in a series of similar events scheduled to be held in north state counties through  2012, Bowen said.

The idea to host a panel of “constitutional sheriffs” came from the Defend Rural America event held in Yreka in October, Bowen said.

Defend Rural America is  a group spearheaded by Kirk MacKenzie, a Bay Area resident who believes Siskiyou County is “ground zero” in the attack he believes has been launched by the government on farmers and ranchers. Issues including property rights, land use, dam removal , Agenda 21 and wolf reintroduction are high on MacKenzie’s list of examples of what he sees as a concentrated attack on rural America.

“Defend Rural America was  our springboard,” Bowen said. Though MacKenzie’s organization is “going in a different direction,” the groups are amicable, said Bowen.

During the Oct. 22 event, “We saw that the sheriff’s were a real hit,” said Bowen, who organized Saturday’s event with Erin Ryan, Louise Gliatto and Jerry and Donna Bacigalupi. “People seemed hungry to hear from their elected sheriffs, so we are concentrating on showing support for our sheriffs... We want these to be peaceful, positive events to help the citizens know that their elected officials care.”

  Sheriff Jon Lopey

The food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps ever.

Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to “Please Do Not Feed the Animals” because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves.

Feb. 28, 2012

Published Siskiyou Daily News

Good to finally see some snow, here in Callahan, although the flakes are pretty tiny and it barely covers the ground. Newspapers are reporting the low amount of snow and moisture this year throughout the state. Sure do hope we get a “Miracle March.”

Sheriffs’ Event

What a great turn-out for the Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Event. The Flower building was full at the fairgrounds. Sheriff’s Posse members helped Scott Valley POW with set up and take down afterwards. Donna Bacigalupi had husband, Jerry, packing five-gallon jugs of water to make coffee for the Republican Women; and the Siskiyou Water Users Assoc. set up a table and sold water. Thanks to the Redding and Yreka Tea Party for sending folks to help as well and for donating the premium for the insurance and 400 copies of the program. It will be difficult to remember everyone who helped with the Event, without leaving someone out. Just know you are appreciated.

Siskiyou Sheriff Jon Lopey started his day literally “jumping in the lake” amid fluttering snowflakes, with his deputies on a fundraising Polar Bear Plunge. I mentioned this to our audience and Sheriff Lopey said it was a different sort of experience for him as he tends to jump into “hot” water most of the time.

As each of the sheriffs spoke for 15 miniutes or so, they lightened the mood with funny experiences. Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood can keep a straight-face through anything and had the crowd rolling in laughter several times as did the other sheriffs.

Sheriff Hagwood said he was surprised when an L.A. Times article mentioned Plumas County. The article explained how few Concealed Weapon Permits there were in an L.A. area county and a county in the San Francisco area boasted zero. It stated that this situation was different in Plumas County, where the stats showed there is one Concealed Weapon Permit for every 39 residents. Sheriff Hagwood then added, “and we don’t seem to be suffering the ills” found in those counties with fewer-per-capita CWPs.

But wait, Modoc County Sheriff Mike Poindexter nearly argued that there is an even higher rate of Concealed Weapon Permits in his county.

For those who do not understand how Concealed Weapon Permits work, it is your county sheriff who issues one. In Siskiyou County, it is issued for two years. The individual desiring the Permit must take an eight-hour gun safety course and the instructor will give you a certificate and also approve you are competent, mentally and physically, to carry a gun.

To those who would question the need for Concealed Weapon Permit, I first state that it is a right under the Constitution. Secondly, the Permit does not allow you to kill anyone. It just gives you a way to protect yourself. In the U.S. of A. we still have the right to protect ourselves.

Trinity County Sheriff Bruce Haney explained the problems from Governor Jerry Brown’s release program of 1,000s of inmates from the State Prison system. His county jail is full and the other sheriffs said theirs are too. All have put in for funds to increase the size of their jail. But that will not eliminate the problem. More crimes are being committed by recently-released prisoners. All the sheriffs are concerned about their publics’ safety and are facing a huge dilemma.

Del Norte County Sheriff Dean Wilson is frustrated with several state and federal agencies that are inhibiting his citizens to use their property and their right to work. “The Constitution was written to protect the people from the government,” said Sheriff Wilson.

I’ll have photos and more statements up on Pie N Politics.com this week. Oh, we also connected with Loma Wharton, Rae Copitka and The Liberators11.org, who organized the Constitutional Convention for AZ. Sheriff Richard Mack last month. They drove down from Roseburg, OR to attend.

In other, but related news, a huge story broke this weekend involving conspiracy and science data tampering: Ron LeValley of a North Coast Marine Science Team was arrested Feb. 23, as one of three conspirators in an elaborate three-year scam involving the theft of close to a million dollars from the Northern California Yurok Tribe.

Del Norte County District Attorney Jon Alexander alleges that LeValley and others conspired to falsify invoices for spotted owl research and embezzle funds for their personal use. Pretty eye-opening stuff.

Also at the Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting, Mike Adams explained the dire situation from the state Dept. of Fish and Game’s new regulations for suction dredging permits. While permits will be issued this year, the number are reduced by half from two years ago and areas where dredging is allowed is also greatly reduced. And we only have until March 5^th to write letters of concern to DFG. Check out Pie N Politics.com “hot issues” tab at the top.

Liz Bowen writes biographies, freelance articles and comments on radio shows. Contact her at 530-467-3515.

NOAA seeks coho comments

Siskiyou Daily News

February 29, 2012

Yreka, Calif. — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will host a public meeting about the Draft Recovery Plan for the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon this Thursday in Yreka. Participants will hear an overview of the plan and will be able to offer comments.

“The ability to implement a plan that will recover and protect the species is in the hands of all who inhabit this region; hence, public input on the plan is essential to success,” a NOAA press release stated.

The meeting will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the

Yreka Community Center,

810 N. Oregon St., in Yreka.

The agenda is as follows:

• 5-5:30 p.m.: View posters, talk with National Marine Fisheries Service staff

• 5:30-5:45 p.m.: Welcome

• 5:45-6:15 p.m.: Presentation on plan contents

• 6:15-8 p.m. (or until all comments are heard): Public comment period

Electronic copies of the plan are available at http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/recovery. A hard copy of the entire plan and a CD copy of the plan will be available for review at the reference desk of the Yreka Library, 719 4th St., Yreka.

NOAA seeks coho comments – Yreka, CA – Siskiyou Daily News

http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x571859243/NOAA-seeks-coho-comments

PNP comment:  These questions should be thoroughly answered by NOAA.  These government agencies have a difficult time following their own regulations, but threaten the citizen and landowner for failing to adhere to their rules. — Editor Liz Bowen

QUESTION:

I noticed one of the projects is to put large woody debris into streams. This is common practice in Oregon and Washington by NMFS. My question to them is, who is liable for the damage to infrastructure such as bridges and diversion intakes that is caused by dislodged logs during high flows that they create?

Also isn’t this activity prohibited in these so-called navigable waters?

Ray Haupt

PNP comment:  Millions of dollars has been spent to “save” the coho and still it isn’t enough. If the dams come out, the huge amount of sediment in the water AND huge volume of water as the destruction of the dams occur, there will be a disastrous effect to the river and habitat for salmon effectively destroying years of salmon runs.

This was admitted to by Mark Stopher, a CA. Dept of Fish and Game official at the April 1, 2010 meeting on the KBRA held at the Yreka Community Theater in Yreka, CA. I heard Stopher admit that dam destruction will affect water and habitat quality for fish and other wildlife.

Can you just image the sludge that North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board will allow to be washed down the river?

If the government agencies really wanted to “save” or conserve coho salmon, it would not destroy the dams and PacifiCorp would NOT be blackmailed into paying for a $510,000 annual Permit as a conservation measure.

More lies by NOAA and NMFS, which I just learned is referred to by commercial fishermen on the coast as No More Fisheries Service! I totally agree. — Editor Liz Bowen

Donna Tam/The Times-Standard

Posted:   02/28/2012 02:25:35 AM PST

PacifiCorp says its ongoing conservation efforts reflect the energy company’s dedication to the Klamath dams removal project. The recent approval of its coho salmon habitation conservation plan may highlight these efforts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service issued an incidental take permit Friday, putting into place a conservation strategy that will be in effect until the dams are removed. Coho salmon are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, and the permit regulates any potential harm to coho with habitat conversation measures.

Irma Lagomarsino, NOAA fisheries service supervisor for Northern California, said measures include projects that improve the complexity of the coho habitat by adding woody debris to streams to improve their survival rates in swift-moving waters.

PacifiCorp spokesman Bob Gravely said Monday that the plan does not directly relate to the dam removal but allows the company to have a permanent plan in place. The plan was an interim measure required by the Klamath dams removal agreements, which were agreed upon by multiple parties in 2008.

”This is great news for us,” Gravely said. “It settles this issue for the interim period.”

Lagomarsino said the permit is for 10 years, but if the dams come down, the permit would be moot. The plan was developed over the last two years and has been subject to environmental review and public comment through the fisheries service, according to NOAA.

”We’re really excited that PacifiCorp is providing species conservation for the coho in the Klamath,” Lagomarsino said Monday. “A lot of hard work went into working with them, and we applaud them for stepping up and doing this.”

Under the terms of the permit, PacifiCorp will work with the fisheries service, the California Department of Fish and Game and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to identify, select, and implement conservation projects. PacifiCorp will contribute $510,000 annually to fund projects to enhance coho conservation in the Klamath River below Iron Gate dam — the lowest dam on the river.

According to NOAA, the company has already contributed $2.5 million in funding to benefit the coho since 2009.

Donna Tam can be reached at 441-0532 or dtam@times-standard.com.

Read it at:

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_20060168

UPDATED: Ousted scientist claims Salazar ‘spun’ Klamath dam removal reports » Redding Record Searchlight

http://www.redding.com/news/2012/feb/28/whistleblower-says-science-ignored-siskiyou-county/

PNP comment:  More on the whistle blower. We have known all along the science has been skewed to meet the result desired by those who want the dams removed. This also happened in the listing of the coho salmon to the federal and state Endangered Species Acts. Science data is doctored. Also the listing of the spotted owl to the ESA used “potential” science data or made up science data. The public has been lied to time and time again.  And unfortunately, too many of our elected leaders did not have the guts to stand up against it until now — when the time is so opportune! Referring to this article, I say thank you to Congressman Tom McClintock, who has been standing up against Klamath dam removal. — Editor Liz Bowen

By Ryan Sabalow

Redding Record Searchlight

February 28, 2012

A federal scientific integrity adviser studying dam removal on the Klamath River has filed a whistleblower complaint saying he was fired from his job after he began questioning top officials “spinning” the benefits of removing the dam while downplaying the negatives of the project.

“The bottom line is they need to be honest about the science and the decision making,” Paul R. Houser, an associate hydrology professor at George Mason University, told the Record Searchlight today in his first remarks to the media about his whistleblower complaint.

Houser’s complaint, filed last week with Department of the Interior’s Office of Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, is already having a ripple effect in the contentious debate over removing the four dams, three of which are in Siskiyou County.

County Supervisor Jim Cook, who traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to lobby federal officials against dam removal, said today the complaint is currently being investigated by staff members of north state U.S. Reps. Wally Herger, R-Chico and Tom McClintock, R-Fair Oaks. A number of House committees have expressed interest as well, Cook said.

Supervisors and other dam-removal opponents have complained about the scientific integrity of the process. The supervisors already have threatened to sue, saying Interior Secretary Ken Salazar isn’t being genuine when he says officials are thoroughly reviewing the proposal before making a decision. The supervisors complain dam removal is a foregone conclusion, with federal regulators “cherry picking” science to support their views.

Read the article at:

http://www.redding.com/news/2012/feb/28/whistleblower-says-science-ignored-siskiyou-county/

PNP comment:  This Fish and Game Commissioner is to be commended for standing his ground. Under the Constitution, he can hunt any where it is legal. 

Yep, that is true.  For those who deem it is fashionable to “save” every animal, they have lived in a fairy tale world for too long.  In real life, wild animals are wild and in this day and age to keep their populations healthy and not infringing too much on another species, many wild animals are “managed.”  And yes, “managed” may use hunting to reduce the over-population.

For those who do not like hunting, you have that right. But you better not tread on my right of a different belief. Hypocrisy is rampant in our modern society.

Under the laws of the U.S., if you do like hunting you have that right.  And it is very much needed as mountain lion populations have exploded in many states (California included, but the Greenies and Humane Society libs close their eyes to the truth) causing another set of problems.

I applaud Dan Richards and will stand with him.  I never thought I would agree with a California Fish and Game Commissioner! — Editor Liz Bowen

February 28, 2012

From the Sacramento Bee Editorial board

Dan Richards’ critics want him ousted from the California Fish and Game Commission for killing a mountain lion in Idaho, where such hunting is legal. Those critics include Assemblyman Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, and at least 39 other members of the Assembly.

But in a letter to Hueso today, Richards was adamant in refusing to step down. (Go here for Richards-Letter.pdf)

Part of Richards letter:

I will continue to hunt and fish wherever I please, as I have always done, ethically, licensed and proudly associating with true conservationists who daily fund, enjoy and enhance our bountiful resources while not trying to limit others enjoyment of same.There is ZERO chance I would consider resigning my position as President of the California Fish and Game Commission and it is my sincere hope that you and your colleagues reassess your request and instead work positively with our Commission…

Farm Futures.com

http://farmfutures.com/story.aspx/supreme-court-rules-riverbed-ownership-17-57585

High court overturns Montana Supreme Court ruling that power company owes state rent.

Compiled by staff

Published: Feb 24, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case PPL vs. Montana that the waterfalls of the Missouri River near Great Falls, Mont., are not navigable and therefore power company PPL does not owe the state rent and the state cannot claim ownership of the riverbed. By law states hold title to riverbeds only if the rivers are navigable.

“Farmers and ranchers prevailed this week when the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of landowner property rights in the case of PPL v. Montana,” said American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman. ”This decision puts ownership of streambeds and stream banks in the hands of their rightful owners.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation filed a friend-of-the-court brief along with the Montana Farm Bureau in the case. Colorado Farm Bureau and Utah Farm Bureau also filed briefs in the case in support of the petitioning landowners.

Despite the ruling in favor of PPL, Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock still has plans to attempt collecting rent from PPL, who has dams on the Missouri, Madison, and Clark Fork rivers.

The Supreme Court did hand the case back to state courts for other disputed stretches of river, encouraging them to use the guidance of the federal court’s decision. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that there is a significant likelihood that some of the other river stretches will fail this navigability test.

According to University of Montana School of Law associate professor Kristen Juras this decision is very important not only for PPL bur also for any landowners with property abutting rivers. She says the broader you describe navigability the less property rights riparian landowners have.

“I think it’s an important decision really for all Montanans who enjoy or use the rivers for their businesses,” PPL spokesman David Hoffman said.

PPL had argued that charging the power company rent would lead to the state charging irrigators and agricultural uses near rivers, which state officials had said wouldn’t happen.

“This decision also helps ensure that farmers and ranchers will not have to pay government for the use of land or water from streambeds that run alongside or through their property,” Stallman said. “This week’s decision is a win for Farm Bureau members, farmers and ranchers nationwide and all private property owners.”

Letter from Yurok Tribe says it’s outraged by alleged embezzlement; will add additional positions to oversee finances – Times-S

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_20060142

Letter from Yurok Tribe says it’s outraged by alleged embezzlement; will add additional positions to oversee finances

Megan Hansen

The Times-Standard

February 28, 2012

Document Links

Members of the Yurok Tribal Council have expressed “great disappointment and outrage” that more than $900,000 was allegedly embezzled from the tribe by a former tribal employee and two conspirators.

Former Yurok Tribe Forestry Director Roland Raymond, 49, has been wanted since last Thursday on a $1 million warrant issued by Del Norte County Superior Court Judge William Follett, according to the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office.

Raymond is wanted on suspicion of burglary, embezzlement and conspiracy to commit a crime. Law enforcement officials said he was still at large on Monday.

A letter recently mailed out by Yurok Tribe Chairman Thomas O’Rourke Sr. on behalf of the Yurok Tribal Council alerts tribal members to the alleged embezzlement and promises more information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

”The Tribal Council understands the outrage that we all may feel as the victims of these alleged crimes. The tribe will provide more information shortly and will continue to ensure that these alleged crimes are subject to the fullest prosecution under the law,” the letter states.

An affidavit in support of search and arrest warrants obtained Friday by the Times-Standard details how Raymond supposedly worked with two biologists to falsify invoices related to spotted owl research on tribal lands.

Mad River Biologists’ senior biologist Ron LeValley, 65, and associate biologist Sean McAllister, 45, were arrested last week on $1 million warrants for their alleged connections to the theft.

Del Norte County District Attorney Jon Alexander said LeValley’s bail was maintained at $1 million and McAllister’s was lowered to $50,000 during a court hearing on Monday. Alexander said their arraignments were continued to Thursday, when LeValley’s bail is expected to be reconsidered.

The tribe’s letter states the funding for the biologists’ research came from the federal government — a fact Alexander has said is of great interest to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

”The original source of funding was Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs funds for Endangered Species Act surveys and other forestry activities,” the letter states.

The letter and affidavit state Raymond also allegedly misused tribal credit cards, falsified purchase order requests for equipment and inflated his mileage reimbursement requests. A number of items were apparently bought and disguised as work-related, including Apple iPads, vehicle accessories and vehicle maintenance. The affidavit states the tribe took its evidence against Raymond to the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office.

Raymond worked as the tribe’s forestry director from 1994 to October 2011, with the spotted owl survey embezzlements allegedly taking place from 2008 to 2010. The tribe’s letter states it knows its membership will have many questions about the case, such as how the thefts took place and how it lasted for so long.

”The alleged activities were in part difficult to uncover because Mr. Raymond, as director of a tribal program, occupied a position of trust within the tribal structure. He had the ability to approve various purchases and invoices for contract services,” the letter states.

In response to the investigation, the tribe is creating additional financial safeguards. The letter states the tribe will hire additional employees in order to have more oversight.

A controller/auditor-general will be hired to examine the tribe’s accounts, records and transactions. An accounting fraud examiner will also be hired to investigate irregularities or suspicious procurement documents. The letter states the tribe plans to obtain an independent review of its fiscal procedures.

An internal investigation is ongoing, and the letter states the announcement about Raymond’s alleged activities comes “with great disappointment and outrage.”

”The Tribal Council wants to be clear that it is committed to ensure that any illegal activities will be subject to the fullest prosecution under the law,” the letter states.

The Yurok Tribe was expected to issue a formal statement to the general public about the case Monday. No statement was received by the Times-Standard by deadline.

Megan Hansen can be reached at 441-0511 or mhansen@times-standard.com.

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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.